How to Make Sure an Oven Temperature is Accurate

For whatever reason, you find your oven is suddenly burning your cookies, even though you made them exactly like the batch last week. The culprit could be your oven temperature sensor. Here's how to check it and make sure that your oven's temperature will be the one you want.

Things You'll Need

• Oven thermometer

Instructions

1. Place your oven rack in the middle of your oven. Turn your oven to 300 degrees F and wait until the oven indicates it is up to temperature.

2. Place the oven thermometer on the center of the rack and close the door. Within 10 minutes, the thermometer should read 300 degrees F. If it doesn't, give it a few more minutes. If it is still off, comparing what the oven temperature setting says and what the thermometer says will tell you how many degrees you need to adjust for future cooking. For instance, if the thermometer says 325, you know that you need to turn to the oven on to 300 degrees F and it actually will be 325 degrees F. Turn the oven to 400 degrees F and go to Step 3.

3. If the thermometer says 400 degrees F after the oven indicates that it is up to temperature, it is likely that your oven sensor is correct. If the thermometer reading says 425, once again, you must adjust for future cooking.

Tips & Warnings

• One factor in oven temperatures to consider is that the aluminum foil that you line the stove bottom with might have an effect on temperatures because of heat reflection.

• The middle of the oven is always where you want to check the temperature; heat is greater at the top of the oven because heat rises, and at the bottom of the oven where the source of the heat comes from.

• When you are done with checking the temperature, use a potholder to remove the thermometer from the oven to protect your hands. Place it where others can't get to it until it cools.